THE BALLAD OF JOB

How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me
alone till I swallow down my spittle ?

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, 0 thou Pre-
server of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against
thee, so that I am a burden to myself ?

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and
take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust:
and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

VII

hen answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long wilt thou speak these things'? and hoiu long
shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind ?
Doth God pervert judgment; or doth the Almighty per-
vert justice?
If thy children have sinned against him, and he have
cast them away for their transgression;
If thou wonkiest seek unto God betimes, and make thy
supplication to the Almighty ;
If thou ivert pure and upright, surely now he would
awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteous-
ness prosperous.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end
should greatly increase.
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare
thyself to the search of their fathers :
(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, be-
cause our days upon earth are a shadow:)
Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and tttter words
out of their heart?
Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow
without water?
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